I received an e-ARC of this book from Netgalley a long, long time ago, but am only getting to it now. Not complaining since this book made me think. A LOT!
Let me first talk about the glossary that is at the end of the book. Something on the lines of “British Slang for US Readers.” Heheheh. So basically, there’s no other reader in the entire world? Why not be inclusive, eh? Why not say, “British Slang for Non-British Readers” and be done with it? It is this first world snobbery that gets to me so many times and that I don’t speak out about often. I’m not keeping my gob shut anymore, thank you very much.
Anyway, that was beyond the scope of my review for the book, I know. But it had to be said.
She Will Rescue You is a strange kind of thriller that I found myself enjoying, and then was horrified that I found myself enjoying it. This is the kind of book that will send goosebumps up your spine, not for the way it’s written, but because it shows you the mirror and what your own moral reflexes are. I’ve never read a book like this before, I must say!
She Will Rescue You is the story of two women, each on the opposite sides of the law. Ellie Grant takes it upon herself to open animal rescue shelters after coming into a lot of money through a lottery ticket and on the side, serving justice to the people who indulge in animal cruelty. Dr. Mia Langley is a psychologist who is trying to apprehend criminals. But soon, the line between law and justice begins to become bolder and Mia is forced to be confronted with this reality that seems to be upending her life. But does Mia really consider this an ‘upending’? Or is she going to cross over to a point of no return? What will she decide?
The point where I thought my own moral lines were blurring were where Ellie inflicts injury, torture, and death on people who are cruel to animals with the help of a small team. While I know that animal cruelty is wrong on so many levels, I wondered if Ellie’s means were justified while thinking of how so many other people got away with crimes directed at animals. It made me realize that this whole story is about how far you are prepared to go for what you believe in. It will make you reevaluate your thoughts and beliefs as well.
The book is fast-paced and makes you want to keep turning the pages, pulling you in and keeping you hooked for its entire duration, right from the point where Ellie is just someone working in an animal shelter to the point where the book ends. The multi-dimensional characters in here make the story and the plot that much more engaging, and they allow you to put yourself in their shoes and think about what you would have done if you were them. Right from Ellie to Mia to Mark (who’s a bit of an a-hole at one point, will explain later) to Mick to Matt to Alex to Craig – everyone has their shades.
I do have a couple of issues with the book, though.
- Ellie’s jump from being an accidental lottery winner to part-criminal is too abrupt. Maybe that’s the charm of the plot or whatever, but I found the abrupt change a little difficult to accept, although I was left with no choice by halfway.
- I even felt Mia’s life was too easily glossed over and shoved into obscure background details for the convenience of the plot.
- The end of the book was too abrupt as well. I think the author was going for an ambiguous ending to allow the reader to interpret it as they will. But somehow, sometimes, it’s just that the onus remains on the author’s shoulders to proffer details and not push it onto the reader.
- MARK JOHNSON, OML. It seemed like he wanted the person he was investigating to be convicted of terrorism charges just because they had spurned him and found love elsewhere. I felt like smacking him in the face, but he combined these with intelligent arguments as well. So I was left fuming but also side-eyeing myself. Ugh, it’s annoying.
Otherwise, the book is really intriguing, fast-paced, and gripping, and will keep you on your toes for its entirety. The questions it raises are pertinent and will make for amazing philosophical and humanitarian discussions. Maybe that was the intent behind the writing of this book. If it was, it succeeded with a few bumps along the way.
I would recommend this if you’re looking for a crime thriller that will keep your attention at all times!
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Until next time, keep reading and add melodrama to your life. 🙂
The Melodramatic Bookworm 